It’s no secret that a good homemade meal takes time and effort, but how do you squeeze in an evening run and cook dinner—without relying on meal prep or leftovers, that is? The simple answer: an electric pressure cooker, such as the wildly popular Instant Pot (or any of the many Instant Pot alternatives). These reliable, self-cooking contraptions can welcome you home to a fresh, hot meal—no waiting.
Why Everyone Loves Pressure Cookers
This is simple—electric pressure cookers take a lot of stress out of dinner prep. They cook food fast, in one pot. So you spend less time standing over a stove (and even less time cleaning up). Because they heat with pressure, these pots cook your food much faster. Instead of spending 45 minutes waiting for stovetop rice to cook, you can pop it in a pressure cooker and have a fresh serving in about half that time. And while regular pressure cookers require attention, electric versions have timers, so you can get on with your life (and even go for a long run) while your food is cooking, knowing it won’t burn (or burn down the house) while you’re away. Vegetables are typically done in minutes, and making one-pot soups and stews is a breeze because all you do is pop in the ingredients and broth, seal the lid, and let the cooker work its magic.
How Electric Pressure Cookers Work
Pressure cookers are similar to slow cookers—they both utilize an outer pot (where the inner pot sits) with a motherboard to heat up an inner pot (where the food sits) to cook food. However, pressure cookers work by maintaining the pressure in an airtight space whereas slow cookers lose a lot of that pressure because there’s no airtight seal. The mechanics of a pressure cooker are simple: Under pressure, water boils within the pot and cooks your food. You don’t have to flip anything or come back to check if anything burned. The pressure cooker will let you know—usually with a “beep”—when it’s done. The lid, inner pot, and outer pot all work together to create an environment in which food can cook much more quickly than in traditional pots and pans on the stove.
Most pressure cookers also feature a sauté function, which comes in handy when you want to sear or brown meat or veggies before pressure cooking your meal. This also saves you dish-washing time because you can use the same pot for all of your cooking!
The top-ranking expert choice for a powerful and efficient pressure cooker resolutions. There are tons of recipes available for cooking everything from soups and stews to poultry, fish, and vegan meals. Runner’s World contributor, Monica Reinagel, a nutritionist and author of Nutrition Diva’s Secrets for a Healthy Diet, notes that foods such as skinless chicken thighs, cod, and haddock are budget-friendly sources of lean proteins and vitamin B12. Each of these can be quickly cooked in a pressure cooker as a standalone dish or with accompaniments you can throw into the cooker.
How to Buy the Perfect Instant Pot
There are different options available depending on a couple of factors including how much counter space you have to spare, the number of people for which you typically cook, and what kinds of foods you usually make.
Most pressure cookers come in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart sizes. If you have limited counter space and plan to cook for two or fewer people, a 3-quart cooker is the perfect size for you. If you often cook for three to five people, consider sizing up to a 6-quart cooker. This option is the most popular, and most recipes available online are measured to fit this model. If you plan to cook for more than six people or like to make food in bulk for meal prepping, consider an 8-quart cooker. Choosing the right size cooker for your lifestyle is important because it’ll help you avoid mistakes.
Instant Pot is by far the most popular electric pressure cooker brand on the market, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other excellent options available. If you’re looking for an Instant Pot alternative because you’re a die-hard fan of a different brand or merely want to know what other options are out there, keep reading for a wide range of cookers that include top expert and consumer picks.
Another important note about using an electric pressure cooker is to remember that you’ll have to adjust your portions to allow room for food and liquid in the cooker. Even if you usually cook for four and the 6-quart model seems like a good fit, if you plan on making extra for leftovers, you’ll want to size up.
How We Rated
We researched 19 expert sources and more than 10,000 consumer reviews to select the top pressure cookers of 2019. To determine our Total Expert Score, we calculate the ratings from expert review sites such as Wirecutter, Mashable, Best Reviews, and TechRadar and convert them to a 100-point scale. Our Consumer Score represents the percentage of consumers who rated the product at least 4 out of 5 stars on retail sites like Amazon and Walmart.
Check out quick reviews below of our top five electric pressure cookers, or scroll deeper for full reviews of those models plus other high-ranking options.
The Cook’s Illustrated Expert Pick
A versatile model that lets you easily monitor cooking progress.
Total Expert Score: 77/100
Can take a while to come to pressure.
Total Expert Score: 89/100
The most highly rated Instant Pot model.
Total Expert Score: 75/100
An awesome, budget-friendly option.
Total Expert Score: 87/100
An upgrade from the Instant Pot Duo Mini, with useful added features.
Expert Pick
Zavor Lux LCD (8-qt.)
The top-ranking expert choice for a powerful and efficient pressure cooker.
Weight: 14.4 lb. | Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.4 x 13.8 in | Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Flex function
- Intuitive controls
- LCD progress monitor
Cons
- Price
- Unhelpful manual
Best Expert Pick Cook’s Illustrated’s top spot for its versatility, unique features, ease of use, and excellent results. Incidentally, the previous winner in Cook’s Illustrated’s pressure cooker test, the Fagor Lux LCD Multicooker, was made by the same folks behind Zavor (Fagor went bankrupt in 2018, and Zavor sprung up in its place). Why this matters: Cook’s Illustrated, established in 1993, has been America’s trusted source for recipes, kitchen products, and equipment reviews.
At Cook’s Illustrated, every product gets evaluated by a team of experts during a rigorous review process to earn a rating. The process for finding the best pressure cooker included “a year of studying multi-cookers and developing recipes, 100 pounds of meat and 20 pounds of beans, and five weeks of testing.” In the end, the Zavor Lux LCD came out on top.
Winning traits include a removable, plastic-top lid that stays cool, intuitive controls, a smart alarm that alerts you if the lid isn’t on properly, a searing function, and a lockable control panel. Notable features include “Flex,” which allows users to operate the multi-cooker like a regular pot on a stovetop—you choose the cooking temperature instead of having to use a preset range built into the cooker—and the progress monitor on the LCD screen that comes in handy if you’re someone who likes to check on the status of your food.
Best for Tech Lovers
Breville Fast Slow Pro (6-qt.)
Total Expert Score: 80/100 | Consumer Score: 80% give it 4 stars or higher
Awesome features make this a versatile and high-performing multi-cooker.
Weight: 14 lb. | Dimensions: 12.5 x 13.5 x 14 in | Warranty: 1-year limited
Pros
- Comparable to Instant Pot
- Intuitive controls and interface
- Easy-to-store detachable cord
Cons
- Lid may retain food odor
- Price
Breville’s answer to the pressure-cooker craze? The Fast Slow Pro, a beautifully designed, intuitive machine that excels at slow pressure cooking and searing meat. CNET liked that this model is great for seasoned chefs and newbie pressure-cooker users. “You can select from the following menu: vegetables, rice, risotto, soup, stock, beans, poultry, meat, bone-in meat, chili and stew, dessert, and custom,” it noted. Adding: “This is really helpful if you’re new to pressure or slow cooking and aren’t sure how much time to give your meal. But if you are an expert, you can change the settings, including the amount of pressure, temperature, and cook time.”
In addition to being user-friendly at all levels, the Fast Slow Pro has an easy-to-read LCD display and features a hinged lid, freeing up both hands and making it easier to serve, stir, and add ingredients to the pot. The attached lid tends to work well for most, but does present a small obstruction for some right-handed users, especially in small kitchens.
Generally, though, customers report being satisfied with the Fast Slow Pro, with one saying, “First meal I made in it was spectacular. I am so pleased with this purchase and can’t wait to make something else in it. Clean up was fast and easy. Some others complain about the hinge on the right...being a lefty, this worked out great for me.”
Best Overall Pick
Instant Pot Duo Plus (6-qt.)
Total Expert Score: 89/100 | Consumer Score: 88% give it 4 stars or higher
An upgrade from the Instant Pot Duo Mini, with useful added features.
Weight: 11.8 lb. | Dimensions: 13.39 × 12.21 × 12.48 in | Warranty: 1-year limited
Pros
- Easy cleanup
- Updated screen
Cons
- Learning curve with settings
Dubbed the “Best Bang For Your Buck” model by Mashable, the 9-in-1 Duo Plus is the next step up from the 7-in-1 Duo Mini line.
The added features on the Duo Plus include cake- and egg-making options as well a sterilizing feature that allows users to pasteurize milk. Although you can also pasteurize milk and boil eggs in the Duo Mini model (after adjusting the Pot to the proper settings), the Duo Plus allows you to do it with the touch of a button. The Duo Plus also looks nicer, having been upgraded to a blue LCD screen (versus the Mini’s red LED display).
Customers love the Duo Plus, with one saying, “It cooks to perfection...perfect pasta, boiled eggs, rice, chicken, broccoli. Everything” Another noted that the Duo Plus actually helps her eat better, saying, “I’m eating healthier. Eating out less. Cleanup is easy and the food tastes awesome.”
From Runners World for On
Crock-Pot Express Crock (6-qt.)
Total Expert Score: 75/100 | Consumer Score: 79% give it 4 stars or higher
A bargain alternative to the Instant Pot.
Weight: 12.8 lb. | Dimensions: 13.6 x 13.6 x 11.9 in | Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Price
- The most highly rated Instant Pot model
Cons
- 'Delay' has a 4-hr. limit
Crock-Pot’s Express Crock is a great Instant Pot alternative for the Crock-Pot devotee who wants to try out a pressure cooker but doesn’t want to cheat on the Crock-Pot brand.
The Express Crock is a multi-cooker that makes rice and yogurt, steams, sautés, and keeps food warm, as well as handle pressure and slow cooking. While the interior pot on Instant Pots models have uncoated cooking surfaces, the Express Crock has a nonstick coating. This is a nice feature that’s especially helpful when it’s time to clean up—you won’t have to fight to scrub food particles off of the interior surface.
Users rave about the quality and performance of the Express Crock, with one customer saying, “I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to cook faster and easier. We are currently a young family of five, with one more on the way, and the size is big enough to make meals for all of us that we can eat for two to three meals.”
The experts at Top Ten Reviews loved that this model worked as well as Instant Pot pressure cookers but didn’t cost as much, noting that cook times were comparable to other pressure/multi-cookers and that users can “cook a delicious meal in a safe, accelerated fashion without having to spend a ton of money.”
Best Instant Pot Upgrade
Instant Pot Ultra (6-qt.)
Total Expert Score: 87/100 | Consumer Score: 84% give it 4 stars or higher
A functional and stylish machine that’ll look great on your kitchen counter!
Weight: 11.8 lb. | Dimensions: 12.99 × 12.48 × 12.48 in | Warranty: 1-year limited
Pros
- 'Cooking indicator' shows progress onscreen
Cons
- DAA Industry Opt Out
Instant Pot’s Ultra series is touted as the 10-in-1 series. The Ultra line features models that have the ability to: pressure and slow cook, sauté/sear, steam, warm, and sterilize, as well as make rice, porridge, cake, and yogurt. It also includes the Ultra program, which, according to the Instant Pot brand, “provides the ultimate in user control when selecting the full spectrum of pressure and nonpressure settings.” The Ultra program was created for those seeking a greater degree of customization and control for precision cooking.
Users love the cross-functionality of the Ultra, with one happy customer noting that he made everything from apple sauce to mashed potatoes and cheesecake, and even sous vide tuna steaks and tempered chocolate for candy making. One drawback is the not-so-intuitive interface. In fact, multiple reviewers across the board (regarding this and other Instant Pot models) say that it takes some getting used to. One commented that figuring out the differences between the new buttons can be difficult, noting, “I had to search by Googling and reading lots of blogs.”
Overall, though, reviews favor the Ultra with more than a whopping 75 percent of customers rating this model 5 full stars on Amazon. One highly satisfied Ultra user raved, “I wish I could give it 6 stars! I made the best-tasting home-cooked steaks I have ever eaten...I’m never going back to pan-fried!”
More High-Ranking Options to Consider
Instant Pot Lux V3 (6-qt.)
Total Expert Score: 74/100 | Consumer Score: 87% give it 4 stars or higher
The perfect machine for all your meals—including dessert!
Weight: 11.5 lb. | Dimensions: 13.19 × 12.21 × 12.48 in | Warranty: 1-year limited
Pros
- Features a microprocessor for precise cooking
Cons
- Lack of instructions
The Lux series is the base line for Instant Pot models. Older versions in this line aren’t able to make yogurt, cake, or eggs, which is why this model made our list in lieu of its predecessor.
CNET noted that the Instant Pot makes food with “deep flavors,” and that while the Lux V3 is an effective cooking tool, it takes some getting used to. CNET also noted that if you don’t mind tinkering with the Lux’s manual controls and figuring out recipe adjustments, consider the Instant Pot for its superior cooking capabilities.
Customers love that the Lux V3 is efficient, with one praising how much fresher meals turned out in the Lux V3 over traditional pots and pans. Another happy customer commented that “it’s unbelievable how fast and tender everything cooks up,” while another called it a game-changer because the Instant Pot “has increased the amount of time I can spend with my family at night. Once I’ve prepped ingredients, I toss it all in, and it’s done almost instantly!”
Instant Pot Duo Mini (3-qt.)
Total Expert Score: 89/100 | Consumer Score: 90% give it 4 stars or higher
The perfect model for college students and travelers!
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Pros
- Price
Cons
- Small size may hinder functionality for some users
Instant Pot’s Duo Mini is the perfect kitchen tool for those who don’t have much room to spare. It works as well as the more sophisticated models but comes at a fraction of the size and offers a lot of the same functions and features that come in the larger models.
This model’s size might not be for everyone, but its compactness is great for weekend trips because it can easily fit in your car or RV. One Duo Mini user mentioned that she loved the portability it offers and the fact that the Pot is stainless steel.
One customer admitted that although there is a learning curve for first-time users, the Instant Pot cooks veggies perfectly and has changed the way she cooks. Another user loved how quiet the Pot was and that the 3-quart model was more than enough to cook for two people, saying, “The Mini is larger than I thought it would be, just enough for dinner for two and leftovers the next day.”
The Duo Mini is also a great budget option, with the 3-quart model costing less than $70, and it has rave reviews on Amazon, with more than 80 percent of 29,000+ customers giving it a full, 5-star rating.
